It doesn’t seem like Breece Hall will be a Broncos free-agent option at running back

INDIANAPOLIS — Breece Hall doesn’t have a contract for the 2026 season, but if New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey has his way, the prolific running back won’t be an option for the Denver Broncos or any other team in free agency when the “legal tampering” period begins March 9.

Mougey, the former assistant GM with the Broncos who joined the Jets last year, indicated that the tags — either franchise or transition — “are an option” if the Jets and Hall can’t come to an agreement at some point in the next week.

The deadline to use the franchise or transition tags is March 3 at 2 p.m. MST.

“Ideally we’d find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around,” Mougey said at a press conference during the NFL Scouting Combine Tuesday. “I think I’ve said that for the last year, since I’ve got here: Breece is a good player, want to find a way to keep him around.

“We’ve been going through that process and are still doing so. We have a week to find out — if we can’t get to an agreement — which way we’ll go with that tag.”

GM Darren Mougey on Breece Hall's future:

"The tags are an option. Ideally, we'll find a way to get a deal done" pic.twitter.com/1QX0Mz4bTx

— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 24, 2026

Hall posted the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his four-year career in 2025, picking up 1,065 yards while averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. He added another 350 yards on 36 catches, allowing him to surpass 1,300 yards from scrimmage for a third consecutive season.

Only a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered by Hall against the Broncos seven games into his rookie season of 2022 kept him from greater numbers over the course of his rookie contract.

Overall, Hall racked up 5,040 yards from scrimmage in the last four seasons, averaging 90.0 yards per game.

BRONCOS HEADED TO INDIANAPOLIS WITH RUNNING-BACK QUESTIONS

Of the four running backs who handled work for the Broncos last season, only RJ Harvey is currently under contract, although Jaleel McLaughlin is a restricted free agent and Tyler Badie is an exclusive-rights free agent, giving the Broncos the chance to bring back most of their running-back room.

Veteran J.K. Dobbins is set to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. He ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yardage before suffering a Lisfranc injury that ended his season after 10 games. He hoped to return in time for Super Bowl LX, but the Broncos fell short in the AFC Championship Game.

The free-agent market is set to include players such as Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III, Carolina’s Rico Dowdle, Atlanta’s Tyler Allgeier, Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne and Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell.

Former Broncos running back Javonte Williams had an expiring contract, but the Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with him on a three-year extension over the weekend.

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